Amusement device



B. KLEIN.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 14, I918- 1,336,082. Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

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AMUSEMENT DEVICE. APPLICATION-FILED 050.14, 1918.

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Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

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6 SHEETS-S APPLICATION FILED DEC. 14. I918,' Patented Apia 6, 1920.

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Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

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B. KLEIN.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED nEc.14,191a.

UNITED STATFE PATENT FFICFA.

BENJAMIN KLEIN, 9F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AIVIUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed December 14, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN KLEIN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, re siding in the borough of Manhattan, city and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Amusement Device; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of thesari-1e.

This invention relates to amusement devices having traveling carriages,and in which amusement is afforded not only by the travel of thecarriages but also by contributing snapping portions to the carriages tojolt the occupants and throw the riders together.

The objects of the invention are: To provide a sectional structure whichmay be quickly taken down and shipped in com pact form, and the sectionswhereof may readily and quickly be assembled; to pro vide a structure inwhich the carriages are caused to travel in a continuous back-andforth,and serpentine, path; to provide means for relievin a chain or the likefrom the weight of the carriages; and to provide means whereby sprocketsor the like for driving the chain are relieved from the weight of thechain, all to the end that the operating parts and the carriages willrun freely, smoothly and economically; to pro-- vide means wherebydriving power is applied to a chain or the like at somewhat widely-separated points throughout the length of the latter, to lessen thestrain on he chain; and, enerally, to simplify and improve theconstruction of this class of an'iusement devices.

Other specific objects are mentioned here inafter.

Some of the improvements are novel in driving means useful for manypurposes, and will be hereinafter claimed in the broader aspects.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a top view of the amusement apparatus, showing arrangementand power plant;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view as indicated on the line 22, in Fig.1, looking in the direction of the arrow, and on a somewhat largerscale;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view, as indicated on line 33 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

serial No. 266,706.

Fig. at is a fragmentary plan view of a corner section;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, in unasse1nbled positions, of the variousparts constituting the corner section of Fig. 4-;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner section, showing thecarriages in the position of making a turn;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section, as indicated on the line 77in Fig. 6, and illustrates the manner of supporting the drive-chain orcasters, and the relation of the various parts;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view, indicated on the line 8-8 in Fig.7 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view inclicated on the line 99 of Fig.7, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of theadjustable carriage bracket, a portion of the roller chain, and thecaster supporting the same;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section on the line 1111 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse section on the line 1212 of said Fig.10.

The apparatus has a body, A, aplatform being shown, and which, in use,lies substantially level in a horizontal plane. Such a body is made upof parts or separable sections, so as to be quickly disassembled inorder to be housed compactly and conveniently carried from place toplace. In the form shown, the body is made up of outside sections, as A,and a mid-section. A the latter being the platform wherein passengersassemble and are discharged.

The body further consists of track-sections, C, and of blocking andfilling sections, B, the whole being assembled as shown to provide anendless track above or on the upper surface, of the body, so thatcarriages, traveling on the track, may pursue a hori Zontal path oversubstantially all of the body and, in the instance shown, will follow awinding, back-and-forth, or serpentine path.

The filling sections are shown as including a central triangularsection. B, side sections B and B and outer sections B B, 13*, B and BWhile any of these sections may be of any suitable construction. Iprefer to use frames. as shown in Fig. 5) strengthened and finished bycross-pieces, so that while each unit shall be exceedingly strong, itshall. be light in weight and easily handled.

The track sections are each formed so as to be each readily secured inplace, by means of corner-plates or junction-plates, indicated at C, Cand C to provide continuous and endless tracks along the opposite edgesof a slot. In the construction shown, there are two sets ofsubstantially parallel tracks, one for wheels or rollers of carriages,and the other set of tracks for wheels or rollers of supports or restsarranged at the front ends of some of the carriages.

The first-mentioned tracks are indicated as D and D in the drawings,while the second-mentioned tracks are indicated as D and D. All of thetracks are formed, in part, of the corner-plates or junction-plates, C,C C

As before stated, there is a slot which runs between the sets of tracks,entirely from end of the system.

At the bottom of the slot and running the entire length of and parallelwith the slot and the carriage-tracks, there is a track or way, formed,in the instance shown, by metallic or other plates E, and resting onbeams or supports E, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. The lowertrack or way is for supporting a driving chain, as hereinaftermentioned, in order that the driving means may be relieved of the weightof the chain.

Referring, especially, to Figs. 41 and 5, it will be seen that thetrack-sections are made of a plurality of parts, such as side-sections Zand Z (carrying parts of tracks D and D"), side-sections Z and (carryingpart; of tracks D and D corner-blocks, F corner-plates Z" and Z,sections (E, E) of clrain-supporting trackways, bolts Z and recessedcross-beams, E The cornerblocks carry a sprocket, F, rotatable about avertical axle F An examination of Fig. 5 will show the manner ofassembling the mentioned parts.

As before stated, the beams E support the lower track E. The beams mayrest upon and be adjusted, up or down, by means of bolts, E tocompensate for any unevenness or for any mistakes or errors inadjustment of the parts of the platform or body A. The lower end of abolt, E may be threaded, and engage with threads of a plate E and thelatter may, as shown in Fig. 7, be secured to the frame work, by bolts Eor otherwise.

The upper tracks, as shown, have a succession of straight portionsdisposed at angles to each other and connected by curved portions, andat or near each such junction there is a sprocket Wheel, F F (and onedesignated Each of said wheels is 1'0- tatable in a horizontal plane,and these wheels engage with the links of a roller chain, G, ashereinafter especially described, to haul passenger-carriages.

Some of the sprockets are used to drive and also to guide the chain, andthe remaining sprockets are employed only to guide that chain. Thefirst-mentioned sprockets are designated F and F and arepositivelydriven by machinery to, in turn, drive the chain; the other sprockets,F, of the series are employed to guide the chain, so as to compel it tofollow a path coinciding substanti ally with the upper tracks.

In Fig. 2, I have indicated a means for simultaneously applyingdrivingpower to the two sprockets F and F Y indicates a suitable gas orother engine, Y speed-re :lucing gear, Y a rotatable shaft from saidgear, Y Y and Y intermeshing bevelgears, Y a rotatable shaft therefrom,and Y and Y indicate two intermeshing bevelgears. The engine, shafts,gears and the usual supports, may all be housed within a pit formed inthe ground.

As shown, the bevel-gear, Y, is connected with and drives the sprocketF, and the bevel-gear Y is connected with and drives the sprocket FPower is thus applied to a plurality of points through the system orseries of sprockets, thus distributing the strain on the chain andrendering its opera tions more certain.

As will be seen by an examination of 1., the sprockets F and F are quitewidelyseparated (nearly equi-distantly) thronglr out the length of thesysten'i of sprockets, and they are separated by a great number ofsprockets F located, in the series.

The sprockets F are employed merely for the purpose of guiding thechain.

All of the sprockets are arranged to revolve in substantially the samehorizontal plane.

Such chain, G, may be any suitable roller chain, and I prefer to use alink-chain. In that case, selected or special links thereof are providedwith means for taking up the weight of the chain, so as to relieve allof the sprockets from such weight, thereby cf.- fecting a minimum offriction and wear on the sprockets and chain.

The chain is shown (Fig. 7) as provided, at desired (and substantiallyequidistant) pointsdesignated as G, G and G throughout the lengththereof, with m ans for supporting the chain, for the pi beforementioned. At each of the mentioned points, the chain carries a rolleror caster which .rests upon and moves along the lower track, E, beforementioned. At some of the mentioned points, the chain carries means forconnection with carriages upon the upper tracks and with supports orrests at the forward en dof some of the carriages.

Referring especially to Figs. 10, 11 and 12,

I have shown either the top-plate, G, or the bottom-plate, G of a linkor chain provided with a cap or cover. The upper cap, G is fitted to thetop plate and is held in place on the link by means of a pin, G, whichtakes the place of and is longer than the usual pintle; at its upperend, the pin is threaded, and is there engaged by a nut G. The bottomcap, is fitted to the bottom plate, and is held in place by means of ascrew, G which passes through the flanged side of the cap and into thebottom plate, as shown in Fig. 12.

A plate, G is secured below the bottomplate, G b means of screws G andbe low plate 7 there is a caster-frame, G carrying a roller G theconstruction being one usual and rotatably connected with the chain inusualmanner, anti-friction balls, G being provided.

Upon looking at Fig. 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that there is agreat number of the rollers G disposed at intervals, preferablyequidistant, throughout the length of the chain, and these are employedto sustain the weight of the chain, at many points. The rollers runalong track E, and the weight of the chain is thus, throughout its wholelength, thrown upon that track and upon the beams E which support thetrack. In turn, the beams throw the weight upon the bolts E If it isfound that (owing to unevenness in construction or assembly of the partsof the body A, or for other reasons) it is necessary to raise or lowerany part of the beam-system, E, and the track, E, this may be assured byturning that bolt E which is near the part to be adjusted.

The principal object in supporting the chain throughout its length, isto relieve all of the sprockets from the weight of the chain, and tothrow that weight, in rolling contact, upon the body. Under thesecircumstances, the chain-links will be engaged directly and positivelyby the teeth of the sprockets, and still the upper plates or other partsof the links or of the chain will not rest upon or even touch the upperfaces of the sprockets. The chain and the sprockets will thus run withthe minimum of friction, and smoothly and evenly.

So far as I am aware, I am the first to provide a driving chain, andespecially an endless edgewise -running chain moving about asubstantially-level and horizontal path, with means for supporting theweight of the chain at a plurality of points throughout its length.Again, so far as I am aware, I am the first to provide means, in achaindrive system, whereby the driving or the guiding wheeels of thesystem, are freed from the weight of the chain driven or guided thereby.

Returning now to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the top cap, G, isprovided with an upper extension, G intended to form part of atelescopic or adjustable joint, and having wings or fingers, G", at theopposite sides (see Fig. 11).

The adjustable or telescopic joints, referred to, and especiallyhereinafter described, will correspond, in number, to the carriages tobe driven and to rests or supports for said carriages. Preferably, thejoints will be connected with the chain (in the before described manner)above the points of attachment of the rollers, G.

My amusement apparatus is provided with carriages which travel above thebody, A, and run along the tracks D and D The carriages are arranged inpairs, each having a forward carriage and one in rear thereof, and arehauled by the chain, G, each being separately connected theerwith by theadjustable or telescopic joints referred to. In the drawings, I havedesigned the forward carriage as H and the rear carriage as I Theforward carriage has a seat H and the other carriage has a seat H Thefloor H of the carriage has a member, G18 (Fig. 10, especially) securedto and depending therefrom, and such member has arms G which slidablyfit the extension G at opposite sides thereof. Each arm G is forked toslidably fit the side wings or finger G before mentioned.

Each carriage is provided with rollers H H which run upon the tracks D DIt will be seen, therefore, that the weight of the carriages and of anyoccupants is thrown upon the body A, and not upon the chain, and thatmovements, due to any unevenness of the tracks, will be adjusted andtaken up by the telescopic joints.

The carriages of each pair are shown as being loosely connected by meansof a link J (see especially Fig. 6), which is provided at one end with aslot J and at its forward end with a slot J The forward carriage II isprovided, below the platform H, and at the rear of the car, with aplate, L, which is pivoted to freely swing, and which carries a pin L,such pin fits the slot J aforesaid, of link J.

The rear carriage. H is provided, below its platform, and at the frontof the car with a plate, K, which is pivoted at K to freely swing, andwhich carries a pin, K fitting the slot J of the link.

My new system also includes a support or rest for at least one carriageof each pair. the object being to sustain the weight of users of thecarriage when getting into or alighting from the carriage, which wouldtend to put great strains upon the telescopic joint and upon the chain.For this purpose, I provide a rest or support at and underneath theforward end of a carriage, such rest being free of the carriage, and isconnected with the chain, to be also hauled thereby, so as to be alwaysin position be neath and yet free from the carriage. As shown, the restor support is formed of a narrow platform, M, and has rollers or wheelsN and N which run upon the tracks D and D The platform is connected, bya telescopic 0r adjustable joint, of the kind shown in Fig. 10, with thechain, and the strain (due to weight, etc.) upon the platform istransferred to the tracks and not to the chain.

What I claim is 1. In an amusement apparatus, a body having an endlesstrack, sprockets carried by the body at intervals, a chain engaging thesprockets to follow a path substantially coinciding with that of thetrack, a carriage traveling along said track and in driven engagementwith the chain, a device for preventing sagging of the chain, and meansfor vertically adjusting the chain without affecting the drivingconnection between the chain and the carriage.

2. In an amusement apparatus, an endless track, a carriage adapted totravel lengthwise of the track, a chain in driving engagement with thecarriage, driving sprockets for the chain, means acting upon each of theopposed lengths of chain intermediate a pair of sprockets and adapted torelieve said sprockets. of the major weight of said lengths, and meansfor adjusting the height of the chain relatively to the sprocket.

3. In an amusement apparatus, a body having an endless track, a carriageabove the body and adapted to travel lengthwise of the track, a chainfor driving said carriage, driving means for operating the chain, thelast-mentioned means arranged to apply driving power to the chain at aplurality of points throughout its length, supports for the chain and avertically adjustable track for said supports.

4'. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a carriage movable thereon, achain, a connectionifrom the chain to the carriage, means for drivingthe chain, supports disposed at intervals lengthwise of the chain andthroughout the length thereof for supporting the same and relieving thedriving means of the major weight of the chain, and resting means forthe supports, adjustable relatively to the means for driving the chain.

5. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a forward carriage and one in therear of that mentioned, both movable thereon, a chain, connecting meansfrom each carriage individually to the chain, said connecting meansbeing pivotal and axially extensible, and a link connecting the forwardcarriage and a rearward carriage.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a forward carriage and one in therear of that mentioned, both movable on the body, a chain, connectingmeans from each carriage individually to the chain, and a bar betweenthe two carriages and having a slidable and swinging engagement withboth.

7. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a forward carriage, a platepivotally mounted thereon, a rearwardcarriage, a plate pivotally mountedthereon, a chain, connecting means from each carriage individually tothe chain, and a bar between the two carriages and having a slidableengagement with both aforesaid pivotally mounted plates. v

8. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a

carriage movable thereon, a movable carriage-rest for the carriage andfree thereof, means for drivingsaid caniage and rest simultaneously, aconnection from said driving means to the carriage, and a connectionfrom said driving means to the carriage rest. 1 f

9. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a carriage movable thereon, amovable carriage-rest for the carriage and free thereof, and a drivingchain connected with the carriage and also separately connected with thecarriage-rest. 4

10. In an amusement apparatus, a body, a carriage movable thereon, amovable'carriage-restfor the carriage and free thereof, a driving chainconnected with the carriage and with the carriage-rest, andweight-relieving means carried by said chain and lo-- cated at about thepoints of connection with the carriage andwith the carriage-rest. 7

l1. A'link-chain having a link thereof provided with a cap, an extensionon said cap, wings on said extension, and a hollow slotted memberdepending from a carriage, said extension telescoping with said hollowmember and said wings fitting in the slots of said hollow membe I 12. Alink chain according to claim 11, having a chain-support located beneathsaid cap.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses. I

BENJAMIN KLEIN. lVitnesses V FRANK H. LOGAN, CORNELIUS I'IERRING.

